CHOICE QUOTES: FEDERER ON MIRKA, NADAL ON LIFE AND JANKOVIC ON HER SMILE

“Sometimes at an important moment, I will give Mirka a little ‘hello’ sign. She’s always there to back me up. Watching is more difficult than playing. You can’t do anything except applaud. In the past, Mirka was anxious. But now she doesn’t get too excited. . .She is becoming a bit like I am on the court and that works better for her.“

“I think he’s as capable as anyone to win on the grass, and I’m talking Wimbledon. If he can serve with the variety that he’s serving right now, put himself in a position to move into the court more, play on the baseline on the return of serve and attack a lot more, I think the window of opportunity is very big for him at Wimbledon.”

Roddick’s take:

“Last year I was going in to Wimbledon a little under-prepared. I hadn’t really played a whole lot (because of injury) and to be honest I haven’t played my best tennis at Wimbledon over the last couple of years. This year I’m playing better and moving a little bit better so I’m really excited.”

Spanish legend Manolo Santana on presenting Nadal with his winning racquet from the 1966 Wimbledon final (via Henry from Bogatá):

“The thing that I liked the most is that Rafa’s been watching the racquet all this time and wondering ‘how the f*ck could this dude play with this thing?’”

Nadal in Barcelona on his tennis longevity:

“I’m conscious that I’m 22 years old and the day that I lose the desire to improve, I will go to my home to do other things”

Jelena Jankovic on her return from the dark side (click here): “My smile is back :)”